Adaptive analog echo/next cancellation

ABSTRACT

An adaptive analog echo/near-end crosstalk (NEXT) cancellation system includes a selector that outputs a first error control signal when a first receive signal does not include a remotely transmitted signal and a second error control signal when the first receive signal includes a remotely transmitted signal. An echo/NEXT cancellation module communicates with the selector and generates an estimated echo/NEXT signal based on the first error control signal and a first transmit signal when the first receive signal does not include a remotely transmitted signal and based on the second error control signal and the first transmit signal when the first receive signal includes a remotely transmitted signal. A summing module receives the first receive signal and the estimated echo/NEXT signal and generates an echo/NEXT filtered receive signal by subtracting the estimated echo/NEXT signal from the first receive signal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to echo/near-end crosstalk (NEXT)cancellation systems for network devices, and more particularly toecho/NEXT cancellation systems for Ethernet network devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ethernet network devices commonly utilize data communications media thatinclude multiple full-duplex communications channels. For example, anEthernet communications medium may include two or four pairs of twistedwire. An Ethernet network device that is compliant with IEEE 802.3ab(1000BASE-T) Gigabit Ethernet standards utilizes a data communicationsmedium that includes 4 pairs of twisted wire. The Gigabit Ethernetnetwork device also employs a full-duplex transmission scheme.Therefore, each of the 4 pairs of twisted wire simultaneously transmitand receive data. However, the transmit and receive signals overlap andmay interfere with each other.

Referring now to FIG. 1, first and second exemplary Ethernet networkdevices 10 and 12, respectively, communicate over a data communicationsmedium with four full-duplex channels 14-A, 14-B, 14-C, and 14-D. Forexample, the first and second Ethernet network devices 10 and 12,respectively, may be Gigabit Ethernet network devices. Each of thechannels 14 at the first and second Ethernet network devices 10 and 12,respectively, are identified as A, B, C, or D and include a transceiver16 and a hybrid 18. The transceivers 16 independently processtransmitted and received data. The hybrids 18 facilitate full-duplexcommunications over the data communications medium.

Echo is interference between transmitted and received data on anindividual channel. Echo may be generated when a near-end transmittedsignal is reflected from a transmit path onto a receive path. Echo mayalso be generated when at least a portion of a transmitted signal on anindividual pair of twisted wire is reflected back from the targetdevice. FIG. 1 illustrates both near echo 20 and far echo 22 withrespect to the transceiver 16-A-1 on channel A of the first Ethernetnetwork device 10.

Near-end crosstalk (NEXT) is interference between received data on onechannel and transmitted data on one or more of the remaining channels ofa data communications medium. FIG. 1 illustrates NEXT interference 24-B,24-C, and 24-D from channels B, C, and D 14-B, 14-C, and 14-D,respectively, that is received at channel A 14-A of the first Ethernetnetwork device 10. Therefore, the received signal at channel A 14-A ofthe first Ethernet network device 10 potentially includes datatransmitted from channel A 14-A of the second Ethernet network device12, echo 20 and/or 22 from channel A 14-A of the first Ethernet networkdevice 10, and NEXT 24-B, 24-C, and 24-D, respectively, from channels B,C, and D 14-B, 14-C, and 14-D of the first Ethernet network device 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a physical layer device 32 of an exemplaryEthernet network device processes data for a full-duplex communicationschannel of a data communications medium. The physical layer device 32includes a receive path 34 and a transmit path 36. An input of a firstanalog filter 38 receives an analog receive signal from thecommunications channel. The first analog filter 38 filters the analogreceive signal and generates a filtered receive signal. An input of ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC) 40 receives the filtered receivesignal and generates a digital receive signal. A first input of adigital signal processor (DSP) 42 receives the digital receive signaland generates a recovered bit pattern. In an exemplary embodiment, theDSP 42 transmits the recovered bit pattern to a descrambler in aphysical coding sublayer (PCS) device in the physical layer device 32.

A second input of the DSP 42 in the receive path 34 receives a scrambledbit pattern from a scrambler in the PCS device. The DSP 42 outputs adigital transmission signal based on the scrambled bit pattern. An inputof a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 44 receives the digitaltransmission signal and generates an analog transmission signal. Aninput of a second analog filter 45 receives the analog transmissionsignal and outputs a filtered transmission signal. For example, thesecond analog filter 45 may transmit the filtered transmission signal toa line driver in the communications channel.

The input of the first analog filter 38 receives an echo signal. Theecho signal is interference from the filtered analog transmissionsignal. The input of the first analog filter 38 also receives NEXTinterference from the other communications channels of the datacommunications medium. The contribution of echo/NEXT interference may besignificant compared to a remotely transmitted signal.

An echo/NEXT cancellation system may be employed to reduce adverseeffects caused by echo/NEXT interference at the input of the firstanalog filter 38. In one approach, multiple analog and/or digitalecho/NEXT cancellers are employed to reduce adverse effects fromecho/NEXT interference signals in the channel. However, adjusting theoperating parameters of multiple echo/NEXT cancellers is verycomplicated. Also, additional echo/NEXT cancellers require additionalclock signals in the channel, which makes clock signal synchronizationdifficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An adaptive analog echo/near-end crosstalk (NEXT) cancellation systemaccording to the present invention includes a selector that outputs afirst error control signal when a first receive signal does not includea remotely transmitted signal and a second error control signal when thefirst receive signal includes a remotely transmitted signal. Anecho/NEXT cancellation module communicates with the selector andgenerates an estimated echo/NEXT signal based on the first error controlsignal and a first transmit signal when the first receive signal doesnot include a remotely transmitted signal and based on the second errorcontrol signal and the first transmit signal when the first receivesignal includes a remotely transmitted signal.

In other features, the first receive signal and the first transmitsignal are from a first communications channel. In this case, theecho/NEXT cancellation module generates an estimated echo signal that isincluded in the first receive signal. Alternatively, the first receivesignal is from a first communications channel and the first transmitsignal is from a second communications channel. In this case, theecho/NEXT cancellation module generates an estimated NEXT signal that isincluded in the first receive signal.

In still other features of the invention, a system comprises theadaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellation system and further comprises asumming module that receives the first receive signal and the estimatedecho/NEXT signal and that generates an echo/NEXT filtered receive signalby subtracting the estimated echo/NEXT signal from the first receivesignal. A system comprises the adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellationsystem and further comprises an analog filter that receives the firstreceive signal and that generates a filtered receive signal. Theadaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellation system includes a bit slicer thatreceives the filtered receive signal and that generates the first errorcontrol signal.

In yet other features, a system comprises the adaptive analog echo/NEXTcancellation system and further comprises a first analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) that receives the first receive signal and thatgenerates a digital receive signal. A digital signal processor (DSP)receives the digital receive signal and generates a recovered bitpattern based on the digital receive signal. The DSP generates third andfourth error control signals. The adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellationsystem includes a summing module that receives the third and fourtherror control signals and that generates the second error control signalby summing the third and fourth error control signals.

In still other features of the invention, a digital-to-analog converter(DAC) receives a digital transmit signal and generates the firsttransmit signal. The DSP includes a digital echo canceller (DEC) modulethat generates the third error control signal based on the digitaltransmit signal and the fourth error control signal. The DSP includes afinite impulse response (FIR) filter that receives the digital receivesignal and that generates a filtered digital signal. A bit detectorreceives the filtered digital signal and generates the recovered bitpattern. A summing module receives the filtered digital signal and therecovered bit pattern and generates the fourth error control signal bysubtracting the filtered digital signal from the recovered bit pattern.

In yet other features, the selector includes a multiplexer thatselectively outputs one of the first error control signal or the seconderror control signal. The echo/NEXT cancellation module includes a firstADC converter that receives the first transmit signal and that generatesa sampled transmit signal. A product module receives the first errorcontrol signal when the first receive signal does not include a remotelytransmitted signal and the second error control signal when the firstreceive signal includes a remotely transmitted signal and receives thesampled transmit signal. The product module generates an adaptationsignal by multiplying one of the first or second error control signalsand the sampled transmit signal. An adaptive analog filter generates theestimated echo/NEXT signal based on the first transmit signal and theadaptation signal.

In still other features of the invention, the echo/NEXT cancellationmodule further includes a delay module that selectively delays the oneof the first or second error control signals. The echo/NEXT cancellationmodule further includes a loop filter that receives the adaptationsignal and that generates a filtered adaptation signal. The adaptiveanalog filter generates the estimated echo/NEXT signal based on thefirst transmit signal and the filtered adaptation signal. A physicallayer device comprises the adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellationsystem. An Ethernet network device comprises the physical layer device.The physical layer device is compliant with at least one of IEEE 802.3ab(1000BASE-T) and/or IEEE 802.3an (10GBASE-T) standards.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a data communications mediumthat includes four full-duplex communications channels according to theprior art;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a physical layer device thatprocesses incoming/outgoing data for a communications channel of a datacommunications medium according to the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a physical layer device with adigital signal processor (DSP) that includes a digital echo/NEXTcancellation system;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an adaptive analog echo/NEXTcancellation system according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the adaptive analog echo/NEXTcancellation system of FIG. 4 illustrated in further detail;

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary comprehensiveanalog echo/NEXT cancellation system for a communications channel of adata communications medium; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed by the adaptiveanalog echo/NEXT cancellation system to select the error control signalthat is output by the selector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same referencenumbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. Asused herein, the term module and/or device refers to an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor(shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or moresoftware or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/orother suitable components that provide the described functionality.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a physical layer device 46 includes a receivepath 47 and a transmit path 48. The transmit path 48 may be from thesame channel as the receive path 47 or may be from a different channelof the data communications medium. An input of an analog filter 49receives an analog receive signal. The analog filter 49 filters theanalog receive signal and generates a filtered receive signal. An inputof an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 50 receives the filtered receivesignal and generates a digital receive signal. A first input of adigital signal processor (DSP) 51 receives the digital receive signaland generates a recovered bit pattern. A transmitter 52 generates adigital transmission signal. An input of a digital-to-analog converter(DAC) 53 receives the digital transmission signal and generates ananalog transmission signal.

The DSP 51 includes a digital echo/NEXT cancellation system 54.Operation of the ADC 50 is synchronized to an input clock signal. Aninput of a finite impulse response (FIR) filter 56 receives the digitalreceive signal from the ADC 50 and generates a filtered digital receivesignal. An input of a bit detector 58 receives the filtered digitalreceive signal and generates the recovered bit pattern. An input of adecision feedback equalizer (DFE) 60 receives the recovered bit patternand generates a digital feedback signal. A first summing module 62receives the filtered digital receive signal and the digital feedbacksignal. Therefore, the signal at the input of the bit detector 58 isequal to a sum of the filtered digital receive signal from the FIRfilter 56 and the digital feedback signal from the DFE 60.

Operating parameters of the FIR filter 56 and the DFE 60 areperiodically adjusted so that the DSP 51 functions as desired underchanging signal conditions. A second summing module 64 receives thefiltered digital receive signal and the recovered bit pattern. Thesecond summing module 64 generates an error control signal 66 that isequal to the difference between the recovered bit pattern and thefiltered digital receive signal. The FIR filter 56 and the DFE 60receive the error control signal 66. Operating parameters of the FIRfilter 56 and the DFE 60 are adjusted based on value of the errorcontrol signal 66.

A digital echo canceller (DEC) 68 receives the digital transmissionsignal from the transmit path 48 and generates a digital echo/NEXTcancellation signal. The DEC 68 also receives the error control signal66 from the second summing module 64. Operating parameters of the DEC 68are adjusted based on a value of the error control signal 66. A thirdsumming module 70 receives the digital receive signal and the digitalecho/NEXT cancellation signal. The third summing module 70 outputs thedifference between the digital receive signal and the digital echo/NEXTcancellation signal. Therefore, the DEC 68 effectively filters thedigital receive signal to reduce adverse effects from echo/NEXTinterference.

The transmit path 48 in FIG. 3 may be from the same channel as thereceive path 47 or may be a transmit path 48 from another channel in thedata communications medium. When the transmit path 48 is from the samechannel as the receive path 47, the DEC 68 generates an estimated echosignal. When the transmit path 48 is from another channel in the datacommunications medium, the DEC 68 generates an estimated NEXT signal.

The digital echo/NEXT cancellation system 54 is effective at filteringthe digital receive signal when the level of echo/NEXT interference inthe digital receive signal is below a maximum threshold. However, theeffectiveness of the digital echo/NEXT cancellation system 54 reduces asthe contribution of echo/NEXT interference signals in the analog receivesignal increases. For example, Ethernet network devices that arecompliant with IEEE 802.3an (10GBASE-T) are being developed. Theincreased data transmission rate requirements of 10GBASE-T lead toincreased levels of echo/NEXT interference in receive paths 47 of thedata communications channels. This dramatically reduces the resolutionof the ADC 50 in the receive path 47.

The present invention is an adaptive analog echo/near-end crosstalk(NEXT) cancellation system. The adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellationsystem includes an adaptive analog filter that generates estimatedecho/NEXT signals to reduce echo/NEXT interference in the receive pathsof communications channels. Operation of the adaptive analog filter isanalogous to operation of a finite impulse response (FIR) filter in adigital signal processor (DSP) and the adaptive analog filter includesadjustable coefficients. The adaptive analog filter operates in twomodes based on the presence of remotely transmitted signals in thereceive path as will be further described below.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a physical layer device 78 of an exemplaryEthernet network device processes data for a communications channel of adata communications medium. The communications channel includes areceive path 80 and a transmit path 82. The transmit path 82 may be fromthe same channel as the receive path 80 or may be from a differentchannel of the data communications medium. An analog front end (AFE)device 83 includes an analog filter 84 and a first analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) 86. An input of the analog filter 84 receives an analogreceive signal and generates a filtered receive signal. For example, ananalog amplifier may transmit the analog receive signal to the analogfilter 84. An input of the first ADC 86 receives the filtered receivesignal and a first clock signal and generates a digital receive signal.A DSP 88 includes an FIR filter 90. An input of the FIR filter 90receives the digital receive signal and generates a filtered digitalreceive signal. An input of a bit detector 92 in the DSP 88 receives thefiltered digital receive signal and generates a recovered bit pattern.For example, the bit detector 92 may transmit the recovered bit patternto a descrambler in a PCS device.

A transmitter 93 in the transmit path 82 generates a digitaltransmission signal. An input of a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 94in the transmit path 82 receives the digital transmission signal andgenerates an analog transmission signal. For example, the DAC 94 maytransmit the analog transmission signal to a line driver in the in thecommunications channel. An input of a decision feedback equalizer (DFE)96 in the DSP 88 receives the recovered bit pattern and generates afeedback signal. A first summing module 98 receives the feedback signaland the filtered digital receive signal is equal to the sum of thefiltered digital receive signal and the feedback signal at the input ofthe bit detector 92. A second summing module 100 receives the filtereddigital receive signal from the input of the bit detector 92 and therecovered bit pattern from the output of the bit detector 92. The secondsumming module 100 outputs an error control signal e₂ 102, which isequal to the difference between the recovered bit pattern and thefiltered digital receive signal. The FIR filter 90 and the DFE 96receive the error control signal e₂ 102 and a value of the error controlsignal e₂ 102 adjusts the operating parameters of the FIR filter 90 andthe DFE 96.

The DSP 88 includes a digital echo canceller (DEC) 104 that receives thedigital transmission signal and the error control signal e₂ 102. The DEC104 generates a digital echo/NEXT cancellation signal based on thedigital transmission signal. A third summing module 106 receives thedigital echo/NEXT cancellation signal and outputs the difference betweenthe digital receive signal and the digital echo/NEXT cancellationsignal. The DEC 104 estimates echo and/or NEXT interference signals inthe digital receive signal. Operating parameters of the DEC 104 areadjusted based on a value of the error control signal e₂ 102.

An adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellation system 108 according to thepresent invention includes a bit slicer 110 that receives the filteredreceive signal. The bit slicer 110 generates an error control signal e₁112 based on the filtered receive signal. A fourth summing module 114 inthe adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellation system 108 receives thedigital echo/NEXT cancellation signal and the error control signal e₂102. The fourth summing module 114 generates an error control signal e₃116 by summing the digital echo/NEXT cancellation signal and the errorcontrol signal e₂ 102.

The error control signal e₃ 116 includes the error control signal e₂102, which is typically used as an adaptation error signal for the DSP88 components including the FIR filter 90, the DEC 104, and the DFE 96.Since both the adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellation system 108 and theDEC 104 operate simultaneously in the communications channel, operationof the adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellation system 108 and the DEC 104is coordinated. Therefore, the digital echo/NEXT cancellation signal andthe error control signal e₂ 102 are summed to generate the error controlsignal e₃ 116. A first input of a selector 117 receives the errorcontrol signal e₁ 112 and a second input of the selector 117 receivesthe error control signal e₃ 116. The selector 117 outputs the errorcontrol signal e₁ 112 during a first mode and the error control signale₃ 116 during a second mode.

The adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellation system 108 also includes ananalog echo/NEXT cancellation module 118. The analog echo/NEXTcancellation module 118 receives the analog transmission signal and oneof the error control signal e₁ 112 or the error control signal e₃ 116from the selector 117. The analog echo/NEXT cancellation module 118generates an analog echo/NEXT cancellation signal 120 based on theanalog transmission signal. Operating coefficients of the analogecho/NEXT cancellation module 118 are adjusted based on a value of oneof the error control signal e₁ 112 or the error control signal e₃ 116from the selector 117. A fifth summing module 122 in the receive path 80receives the analog receive signal and the analog echo/NEXT cancellationsignal 120. The fifth summing module 122 subtracts the analog echo/NEXTcancellation signal 120 from the analog receive signal. Therefore, thevalue of the analog receive signal at the input of the analog filter 84is equal to the value of the analog receive signal less the value of theanalog echo/NEXT cancellation signal 120.

The first mode is a start-up mode and occurs when the analog receivesignal does not include a remotely transmitted signal. For example, thefirst mode may be initiated as part of a start-up procedure of thephysical layer device 78 when the analog receive signal does nottypically include a remotely transmitted signal. In other words, theanalog receive signal only includes echo, NEXT, and/or otherinterference signal impairments. For example, during the first mode whenthe analog echo/NEXT cancellation module 118 operates ideally, the valueof the filtered analog signal is equal to zero. Following the start-upmode, if the echo response in the receive path 80 does not significantlychange, the operating coefficients of the analog echo/NEXT cancellationmodule 118 may be fixed. In this case, the DEC 104 in the DSP 88 employstraditional digital echo/NEXT cancellation techniques to estimate anyresidual echo/NEXT interference signals in the receive path 80 that havenot been removed by the adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellation system108.

The echo response in the receive path 80 may change dramatically duringnormal operations. For example, the echo response may change due to achange in temperature or another adverse condition. Therefore, it isdesirable for the analog echo/NEXT cancellation module 118 to remainadaptive during normal operations. The second mode occurs when theanalog receive signal includes a remotely transmitted signal (or duringnormal operations). For example, the analog receive signal typicallyincludes a remotely transmitted signal following an initial start-upprocedure of the physical layer device 78. During the second mode, theanalog echo/NEXT cancellation module 118 is preferably not adapted bythe value of the error control signal e₁ 112. This is because thepresence of a remotely transmitted signal in the receive path 80 makesthe error control signal e₁ 112 too noisy. Therefore, during the secondmode, the selector 117 outputs the error control signal e₃ and theanalog echo/NEXT cancellation module 118 is adapted by the value of theerror control signal e₃ 116.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the analog echo/NEXT cancellation module 118 ofFIG. 4 is illustrated in further detail. The analog echo/NEXTcancellation module 118 includes a delay module 130 that selectivelydelays one of the error control signal e₁ 112 or the error controlsignal e₃ 116. The delay module 130 fixes a relative delay of the errorsignals so that the delay is matched properly according to the latencybetween the input of the first ADC 86 and the output of the bit detector92. The analog echo/NEXT cancellation module 118 also includes a secondADC 132 that receives the analog transmission signal and generates asampled transmission signal. A product module 134 receives the delayederror control signals and the sampled transmission signal. The productmodule 134 generates an adaptation signal 136 by multiplying theselected error control signal and the sampled transmission signal.

An input of a loop filter 138 receives the adaptation signal 136 andgenerates a filtered adaptation signal 140. An adaptive analog filter142 receives the analog transmission signal and the filtered adaptationsignal 140. The adaptive analog filter 142 generates an estimatedecho/NEXT signal that is included in the analog receive signal. A valueof the filtered adaptation signal 140 adjusts the operating coefficientsof the adaptive analog filter 142. In an exemplary embodiment, theselector 117 includes a multiplexer 144. For example, the selector 117may include a 2-to-1 multiplexer 144 that selectively outputs either theerror control signal e₁ or the error control signal e₃ based on a valueof a mode select signal. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, thevalue of the mode select signal changes depending on whether thephysical layer device 78 is performing an initial start-up procedure.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an exemplary comprehensive analog echo/NEXTcancellation system for channel A of a four channel full-duplexcommunications medium is shown. The DSP 88 receives digital transmissionsignals from all four channels. An analog echo canceller 108-A and threeanalog NEXT cancellers 108-B, 108-C, and 108-D receive analogtransmission signals from respective communications channels. Forexample, the analog echo canceller 108-A receives the analogtransmission signal from channel A. The analog echo canceller 108-A andthe analog NEXT cancellers 108-B, 108-C, and 108-D also receive thefiltered receive signal from the receive path 80.

The analog echo canceller 108-A and the analog NEXT cancellers 108-B,108-C, and 108-D receive respective digital echo/NEXT cancellationsignals from the DSP 88. For example, the echo canceller 108-A receivesthe digital echo/NEXT cancellation signal from the DSP 88 with respectto channel A. The analog echo canceller 108-A and the analog NEXTcancellers 108-B, 108-C, and 108-D also receive the error control signale₂ 102 from the DSP 88. Therefore, each communications channel of thedata communications medium includes an analog echo canceller 108-A andthree analog NEXT cancellers 108-B, 108-C, and 108-D. The analog echocanceller 108-A and the analog NEXT cancellers 108-B, 108-C, and 108-Doutput respective analog echo/NEXT cancellation signals 120. The fifthsumming module 122 sums the analog receive signal and the analogecho/NEXT cancellation signals 120 to filter the analog receive signal.Likewise, each of the DSPs 88 in the four channels of the communicationsmedium include a DEC 104 that operates as an echo canceller and threedigital filters that operate as NEXT cancellers. Those skilled in theart can appreciate that multiple echo and/or NEXT cancellers may beintegrated into a single device.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an error control signal selection algorithmbegins in step 150. In step 152, control reads the receive signal andthe selector 117 reads the error control signal e₁ and the error controlsignal e₃. In step 154, control determines whether the receive signalincludes a remotely transmitted signal. For example, control may readthe mode select signal of the selector 117 to determine whether thephysical layer device 78 is performing an initial start-up procedure. Iftrue, control proceeds to step 156. If false, control proceeds to step158. In step 156, the selector 117 outputs the error control signal e₃116 and control proceeds to step 160. In step 158, the selector outputsthe error control signal e₁ 112 and control proceeds to step 160. Instep 160, the adaptive analog filter 142 estimates echo/NEXTinterference and generates the analog echo/NEXT cancellation signal 120and control ends. The adaptive analog filter 142 estimates the analogecho/NEXT cancellation signal 120 based on the analog transmissionsignal and the error control signal that is output by the selector 117.

The present invention allows for greater ADC 86 resolution incommunications channels that operate in high-speed full-duplexcommunications systems. This allows for reliable and increased datacommunications rates in communications systems such as IEEE 10GBASE-Tsystems. Analog echo/NEXT cancellers are utilized before the ADC 86 toestimate as much echo/NEXT interference as possible. At the same time,the DSP 88 retains traditional digital echo/NEXT cancellers thatestimate additional echo/NEXT interference in the receive path 80 afterthe ADC 86. Both the bit slicer 110 and the second ADC 132 receive asecond clock signal that is derived from the first clock signal of thefirst ADC 86. Therefore, clock mismatching problems that are typicallyassociated with multiple echo/NEXT cancellers are avoided.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoingdescription that the broad teachings of the present invention can beimplemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention hasbeen described in connection with particular examples thereof, the truescope of the invention should not be so limited since othermodifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon astudy of the drawings, specification, and the following claims.

1. An adaptive analog echo/near-end crosstalk (NEXT) cancellationsystem, comprising: a selector that selects between a first mode and asecond mode in response to a mode select signal, wherein said selector:outputs, during said first mode, a first error control signal that isbased on first interference in a first receive signal, wherein saidfirst mode corresponds to when said first receive signal does notinclude a remotely transmitted signal, and outputs, during said secondmode, a second error control signal that is based on second interferencein a second receive signal following said first mode when said secondreceive signal includes said remotely transmitted signal; and anecho/NEXT cancellation module that communicates with said selector andthat generates an estimated echo/NEXT signal, wherein said estimatedecho/NEXT signal is adjusted by said first error control signal and afirst transmit signal when said first receive signal does not includesaid remotely transmitted signal, and adjusted by said second errorcontrol signal and said first transmit signal when said second receivesignal includes said remotely transmitted signal.
 2. The adaptive analogecho/NEXT cancellation system of claim 1, wherein said first receivesignal and said first transmit signal are from a first communicationschannel, and wherein said echo/NEXT cancellation module generates anestimated echo signal that is included in said first receive signal. 3.The adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellation system of claim 1, whereinsaid first receive signal is from a first communications channel andsaid first transmit signal is from a second communications channel, andwherein said echo/NEXT cancellation module generates an estimated NEXTsignal that is included in said first receive signal.
 4. A systemcomprising the adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellation system of claim 1,the system further comprising a summing module that generates anecho/NEXT filtered receive signal by subtracting said estimatedecho/NEXT signal from said first receive signal.
 5. An adaptive analogecho/near-end crosstalk (NEXT) cancellation system, comprising:selecting means for selecting between a first mode and a second mode inresponse to a mode select signal, wherein said selecting means isfurther for: outputting, during said first mode, a first error controlsignal that is based on first interference in a first receive signal,wherein said first mode corresponds to when said first receive signaldoes not include a remotely transmitted signal, and outputting, duringsaid second mode, a second error control signal that is based on secondinterference in a second receive signal following said first mode whensaid second receive signal includes said remotely transmitted signal;and echo/NEXT canceling means, that communicates with said selectingmeans, for generating an estimated echo/NEXT signal that is adjusted bysaid first error control signal and a first transmit signal when saidfirst receive signal does not include said remotely transmitted signal,and adjusted by said second error control signal and said first transmitsignal when said second receive signal includes said remotelytransmitted signal.
 6. The adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellation systemof claim 5, wherein said first receive signal and said first transmitsignal are from a first communications channel, and wherein saidecho/NEXT canceling means generates an estimated echo signal that isincluded in said first receive signal.
 7. The adaptive analog echo/NEXTcancellation system of claim 5, wherein said first receive signal isfrom a first communications channel and said first transmit signal isfrom a second communications channel, and wherein said echo/NEXTcanceling means generates an estimated NEXT signal that is included insaid first receive signal.
 8. A system comprising the adaptive analogecho/NEXT cancellation system of claim 5, the system further comprisingsumming means for generating an echo/NEXT filtered receive signal bysubtracting said estimated echo/NEXT signal from said first receivesignal.
 9. A method for operating an adaptive analog echo/near-endcrosstalk (NEXT) cancellation system, the method comprising: receiving amode select signal; selecting between a first mode and a second mode inresponse to said mode select signal; generating, during said first mode,a first error control signal that is based on first interference in afirst receive signal, wherein said first mode corresponds to when saidfirst receive signal does not include a remotely transmitted signal;generating, during said second mode, a second error control signal thatis based on second interference in a second receive signal followingsaid first mode when said second receive signal includes a remotelytransmitted signal; and generating an estimated echo/NEXT signal that isadjusted by said first error control signal and a first transmit signalwhen said first receive signal does not include a remotely transmittedsignal, and adjusted by said second error control signal and said firsttransmit signal when said second receive signal includes said remotelytransmitted signal.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said firstreceive signal and said first transmit signal are from a firstcommunications channel, and wherein said estimated echo/NEXT signal isan estimated echo signal that is included in said first receive signal.11. The method of claim 9, wherein said first receive signal is from afirst communications channel and said first transmit signal is from asecond communications channel, and wherein said estimated echo/NEXTsignal is an estimated NEXT signal that is included in said firstreceive signal.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising generatingan echo/NEXT filtered receive signal by subtracting said estimatedecho/NEXT signal from said first receive signal.
 13. The method of claim9, further comprising: filtering said first receive signal to generatinga filtered receive signal; and sampling said filtered receive signal togenerate said first error control signal.
 14. The adaptive analogecho/NEXT cancellation system of claim 1, wherein said estimatedecho/NEXT signal includes: an estimated echo signal based on said firsterror control signal; and an estimated NEXT signal based on said seconderror control signal.
 15. The adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellationsystem of claim 1, wherein: said first mode corresponds to an initialstart-up mode of a physical layer device, wherein the physical layerdevice includes the adaptive analog echo/NEXT cancellation system; andsaid second mode corresponds to a normal operation mode of said physicallayer device, wherein said normal mode of operation that does not occurduring said initial start-up mode.
 16. The adaptive analog echo/NEXTcancellation system of claim 1, wherein said remotely transmitted signalis transmitted by a device that is remote from the adaptive analogecho/NEXT cancellation system.